Buying a Home with Good Resale Value

Life comes with changes and opportunities. You get a promotion at work but this comes with a need to relocate to a new city. Or, the size of your family grows and suddenly your starter home simply doesn’t meet your needs for space. What happens to the home you planned to live in for many years? You may decide to convert this home into a rental property but oftentimes, the home is sold.   

When you bought your home a few years ago, did you make your purchase thinking ahead to it having a good resale value? This futurist thought doesn’t always come up. So, let’s consider it.

Approach your home purchase from the perspective of "How likely would others be to buy this home later on?” With this in mind, let’s see how you do in spotting some attractive resale features.

Characteristics of a Good Resale Value Home

A home with high resale value is found attractive to a wide audience of buyers because the home has appealing characteristics such as:

Location: A well-chosen home location is convenient to places you frequent—shopping, entertainment, professional services, your work, schools, etc. Living in thriving community keeps you close to friends and family as well as connected to interests and activities you enjoy. Love golfing? Living in an established community containing a golf course means you’re minutes from tee time. 

Nearby Amenities: Whether these amenities are located in the neighborhood or a short drive away, it’s desirable to have everything nearby. This reduces the time spent driving in congested traffic. It could even eliminate the need to purchase memberships across town for use of a pool or gym if these activities are included in your community’s HOA (homeowner’s association) fees. Wouldn’t it be so convenient to live near walking trails, the dog park, or the playground when you’re ready to take the family pet for a walk with your toddler in the stroller? (Fingers crossed the little one falls asleep in the fresh air and the coffee kiosk is serving your favorite pastries when you reach this point in your walk.)

Well-Maintained: A home that has been well-maintained and cared for is desirable. It shows well and it lasts. Buyers appreciate moving into a home that doesn’t come with a long list of needed repairs or damage. 

Features: There will always be interest in having ample storage and closet space. A spacious kitchen with plenty of cupboards and countertops is enticing for those enjoying making delicious meals at home. Some are drawn to home office space, in-ground pools, central air, and installed security systems. All features that security and value to a home. Where the homeowner needs to take heed is adding quirky features and bold paint colors. While these work well for your lifestyle and preferences, these may not appeal to broader audiences. 

Floor Plan & Layout: Rooms that have good flow and good floor plan are appealing. Open spaces allow parents to keep watch on the youngsters while preparing a meal. Also, this arrangement works well for families who enjoy entertaining. Consider who the home functions. Are there areas you wish were redesigned? If you notice these sticking points, so will potential buyers. 

Natural Light: Homes with ample natural lighting feel larger and inviting. Consider your window treatments and the placement of shrubs and trees near windows. Hire a landscaper to trim tree branches or relocate overgrown shrubs to keep sight lines open. 

Curb Appeal: How does your home look when you first drive up? Hopefully, you answered “it’s inviting.” Your home’s curb appeal is the first impression someone gets when they see your home. A freshly cut lawn, colorful plantings, and trimmed trees and bushes show-off home’s architectural features. Adding a pop of color to the front door invites people to come up the walkway and want to see what’s inside. 

As you’ve read there are numerous ways to up the appeal of your home for resale. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how your home would list, let’s talk. I’m happy to assist you. 

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers, and citywide was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020, #3 in 2021, and #2 in 2022. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.